Dysfunctional Breathing and Exercise-Induced Laryngeal Obstruction

Exercise-induced laryngeal obstruction (EILO), inducible laryngeal obstruction (ILO), and dysfunctional breathing (or breathing pattern disorder) can cause breathing difficulties for people of all ages and activity levels. This can lead to frightening symptoms like shortness of breath, light-headedness, chest and throat pain, or even voice and vision changes. Frequently, patients end up abandoning their sport or limiting their activity, when in fact each of these issues is very treatable with therapy.

This webinar will cover assessment and treatment of breathing disorders from the perspective of a speech-language pathologist, though it will certainly be applicable to physical therapists also treating these populations. It will cover anatomy and physiology of the respiratory system, characteristics and symptoms of each breathing disorder, and various treatment strategies. Participants will participate in practice activities to determine their own breathing pattern and learn to identify and teach different breathing patterns in others. Additionally, case studies will be used to facilitate application of learning.

Following this training, participants will be able to:

1. Identify diaphragmatic, thoracic, and clavicular breathing patterns during elicited breaths.
2. Contrast various breathing disorders (e.g. EILO, ILO, Asthma, Breathing Pattern Disorder) based on symptoms, characteristics, and onset.
3. Utilize modeling and cueing techniques to elicit diaphragmatic breathing.
4. Describe the EILOBI breathing technique and rescue/release breathing treatment strategies.

This course meets the requirement for Professional Development hours towards your ASHA renewal since it is approved by TSHA! You can count these hours towards ASHA renewal when you submit your Compliance Form.